So my FIL owns a Ritz Vdi which is 4 years old. Around a month ago the power loss issues began - while driving there is a sudden loss of power and car engine shuts down. So we called the Maruti service center and the guys came and tried to fix it. They could not diagnose or quick fix so they towed the car to the service center.

Two days later they got back saying that they have fixed the issue and gave back the car. A couple of days later again the issue resurfaced. This time the service guys got back saying that the fuel pump needs replacement. So that was done and the car was given back.

Now last week the same issue came back. Again they towed the car back to the service center. Now they are saying that the fuel injectors need repair or replacement. Cost of replacing one injector is quoted as 15000/-

The car issue is that there is sudden power loss while driving and after that the car starts but after driving for approx. 1km, it shuts down. This keeps on repeating.

Now I am in a fix. Should I give in to replacing the injectors or should I get a second opinion from a FNG guy that I know ? I have a feeling that the RCA has not been done and they are proceeding with trial and error method. Any advice is highly appreciated.

Now they are saying that the fuel injectors need repair or replacement. Cost of replacing one injector is quoted as 15000/-
....
Now I am in a fix. Should I give in to replacing the injectors or should I get a second opinion from a FNG guy that I know ? I have a feeling that the RCA has not been done and they are proceeding with trial and error method. Any advice is highly appreciated.

Whenever the cost is high it is always wise to have a second opinion. If the service centre was competent they would have diagnosed the issue on the first attempt only. I would say avoid them further and show it to another competent service centre or another FNG. 15k for a Maruti is simply . Maruti OE spares are also widely available. Buy from a trusted shop if needed.

Idling issue could be dirty throttle body, clogged fuel filter, bad fuel, clogged injectors. etc. Kindly name the service centre so people are aware of their competency on the forum.

I recently gave my Estilo (New model K-series engine) to MASS for repair under insurance.

The service Centre person dealing with insurance matters, was very convinced that the required painting and denting job will be easily sanctioned by insurance approver. Total estimate was around Rs 16,000. On day 3, I received call from service Centre that insurance company has rejected the claim proposal and hence the repair work needs to be done from my pocket.

I didn't accept and went to collect the car. To my surprise, they handed over the bill of Rs 2,000 plus GST. On enquiry, I was informed that 10% of total estimated repair cost (Rs 1,600) will be charged if I don't do repair from my pocket, since insurance claim was not sanctioned. No one had informed me that I need to pay 10% of estimated repair cost if insurance company does not approve the claim proposal. Additionally Rs 400 for parking charges for 2 days. I refused to pay entire amount and talked with a senior executive known to me. On his recommendation, all the charges were waived off, with great difficulty. Then the service Centre started insisting that I have to do at least part of repair and pay for it. I refused.

I want to know if this is routine practice? I have never heard or read such charges anywhere before.

Last edited by ampere : 10th September 2019 at 18:27.
Reason: Formatted for readability

On day 3, I received call from service Centre that insurance company has rejected the claim proposal and hence the repair work needs to be done from my pocket.

- Claim form needs to be filled with all your details (Owner)
- Original of the RC, Licence and Insurance (and a Photocopy)
- Signature on the claim form by the owner

With all this, the insurance surveyor associated with the service provider will first assess your vehicle in the as-is condition and then provide his consent and ask the ASC to start the work - This is the "Formal Approval" only after which actual work on your car can start.

I am amazed how the ASC could easily fool you by saying that the claim will pass through. Please go and ask them all this and say how did they even start work without following the above process and how on earth they expected the insurer to approve/reject a claim without you providing any of the documents and filling the claim form!

The charges are indeed on a higher side. Why would they charge for diagnosis? Normally one sachet of screen wash is sufficient at a time. The service centers have now become habitual of adding unnecessary labour charges as this is where they make most of their money.

I wonder even if Inter-cooler requires cleaning at 30k. Cleaning an AC filter would have been more than enough unless and until some problem was reported.

I am not very technical. My Ciaz which gets serviced at Maruti Service Masters, Okhla. I have never ever seen such charges added to its bill.

Service Invoice for 30 K on New- Ertiga. Labour charges look very high to me or is it a norm. Rs 3500 for general service and Rs 750 for brake pin lubrication!

3500 service charge seem quite high but things like intercooler cleaning, brake pin something could have been avoided. These would have bought the bill down to 7500. Not cheap but not too costly either. My friend recently got his Grand i10 serviced at 10,000KM , he was charged 15K . No wonder the bill had, engine coating, brake cleaning, anti bacterial treatment what not!

Labour cost is very high in MASS. Something i realized and have started avoiding them.For what they charge in labor cost, in the same amount i can rather put better quality oil and change filters more frequently.
For e.g maruti charges some 1700 odd rupees for MGDO oil which i find is a semi synthetic oil and just about ok, nothing great. Most of the time motul 8100 is available at 2200 odd rupees and i buy that.
I also buy the oil filter and air filter from MGP and give it to FNG for replacement. FNG charges me 250 for oil change. So for the 3500 that i pay to maruti as paid service charges i can give my car better oil and more frequent replacement of air filter etc.
Every-time i have serviced my car at MASS the labour cost and charges is what pinches me the most.

Service Invoice for 30 K on New- Ertiga. Labour charges look very high to me or is it a norm. Rs 3500 for general service and Rs 750 for brake pin lubrication!

The bill for sure is heavy and there is absolutely no doubt about that.

But few months before there was this post by Dr. Naren where he had shared a circular to ASCs by Maruti on what should be included as part of Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and how one should not be charged extra for things like Brake Cleaning, EGR cleaning, Intercooler cleaning etc.

You can refer to this post of his as quoted below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Naren

I have seen many dealers charge extra for brake cleaning, brake pads replacement labour. Maruti has clearly instructed dealers not to charge extra and these are included under PMS charges. If any dealer charges extra for brake cleaning, just complain to Maruti

Coming to the PMS charges itself which is 3500 is to ensure that all these activities that are charged extra are included within this. I remember PMS chargers for 20K/40K/60K....hovered around 2700 here in Bangalore.

20K Service includes Intercooler cleaning while 30K Service must include EGR cleaning as well - The cleaning intervals are as per PMS details of my Ertiga which is 2013 Model. Don't know if this should change for the new one.

Petroleum Jelly, Distilled Water, Caliper Grease being charged is the way Maruti ASCs have been generating revenues till now and these days!!

Caliper Greasing charges of 975 (Is it that??) is extremely high. Honestly, with the pneumatic guns that takes less than 2 minutes to remove wheel on both sides in front, the real labor for greasing the calipers should not be more than 200. But as I said before, even this should be part of PMS.

It is now high time that Maruti clearly lists out all the activities as part of PMS so owners are clear that what comes as package when they are charged under the heading PMS.

If I have to look at your bill, You have paid 250 (Diagnostics), Intercooler Cleaning (1450), Caliper Greasing (975) more for this service and I am wondering how the ASC charged you just for Balancing alone and not for alignment ?

Lastly, what is that Generator belt charged 350/-? Is this to do with SHVS or the alternator belt?

PMS charges are extremely high. Which city is this? PMS charges in Jaipur are exactly half of what you have been charged. Yours is coming up to 4k including taxes!

Revised PMS charges are certainly high as I know. If 3500 includes cleaning of EGR and Intercooler and Caliper Greasing and brake cleaning, I won't mind paying this. But if I am charged extra after this, I will certainly crib. But I am certainly sure that PMS charges have now increased since last 6 months across all the cities and of course they would also differ based on the category of cities too.

Quote:

Wheel Alignment is given Free of Cost as mentioned in the recommendation/remarks section of the bill. Small mercy!

Ah, I didn't notice that. May be they realised they don't have to fiddle with Toe in and Out adjustment and the man didn't have to go underneath the car so they didn't charge!!

Reminds me to add that I have the 180,000 Km Service due within the next 3-4 days and I am visiting the ASC for the same (previous services were either DIY or at FNG). I will surely know what I am charged for the PMS here in Bangalore.